Machine for making wood-carpet squares.



No. 894,017. I PATENTED JULY 2l, 1908.

C. M. KRBBS.

MACHINE FOR MAKING WUOD CARPET SQUARES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2l, 1906.

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A TTOHNE YS No. 894,017. PATENTED JULY 21, 1908.

G. MI KREBS. Y v

MACHINE FOR MAKING WOOD CARPET SQUARES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 21., 1906. .lo SHEETS- SHEET 3.

N5 y/arles Mjz-ea BY WM o wrom/EVS j W/T-N/ESSE PATENTED JULY 21, 1908.

C. M. KREBS. MACHINE FOR MAKING WOOD CARPET SQUARES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 21, 1906.

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SYM/iff@ VATTORNEYS No. 894,017. PATBNTED JULY 21,1908.

' C. M. KRBBS. v MACHINE POR MAKING WOOD CARPET SQUARES.

' APPLICATION FILED MAY 21, 1906.

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Arron/VHS N0.894,o17. PATENTED JULY 21, 1908. o. M. KEEBS.

MACHINE EOE MAKING Woon GAEPET sQUAEEs.

PEL T1 N FILED MAY 1 A ICA 0 Z 1906 1o sHEETssHEET e.

M Dn mi m S m. mm W PATBNTED JULY 21,1903.A

`1\I0.894, M7 l 0. M. KRBBS. MACHINE POR MAKING Woon CARPET ,SQUARBM APPLICATION FILEDMY 21, 1906.

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N0.894,017. PATENTED JULY 21, 190s.

o. M. KREBS.

lMACHINE FOR MAKING WOOD CARPET SQUARES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 21 1 o6.

9 1o SHEETS-SHEET s.

" ffm P71212 P13 N0.a94,017. PATBNTED JULY 21, 1908.

l C. M. KREBS. M MACHINE FOR MAKING Woon CARPET SQUARES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY-21, 1906.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

No. 894,017. PATENTED JULY 21, 1908.

C. M. KREBS.

. MACHINE vFOR MAKING WOOD CARPET SQUARES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 21, 1906.

l0 SHEETS-SHEET 10.

.ATTORNEYS sectional elevation of the UNITED sTATEs CHARLES M. KREBS, OF

NEW ALEANY,' 'INDIANA MACHINE. FOR MAKING WOOD-CARPET SQUARES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 21, 1908.

Application filed May 21, 1906. Serial No. 317,885.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, CHARLES M. KREBs, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of N ew Albany, in the county of Floyd and State of Indiana, have inventeda new and Improved Machine for Making Wood-Carpet Squares, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to the manufacture of parquetry flooring, and its obj ect is to provide a new and improved machine for making Wood carpet squares, each composed of slats of wood laid edge to edge and glued onto a web of fabric material, such as canvas or paper, the slats for each square being formed from a single strip of wood of the proper length and width; and the machine being arranged to successively feed such strips of 'wood to saws for cutting each strip of wood into a plurality of slats of 'approximately the desired length, to stack the slats cut from one strip, to trim the side edges of the stacked slats, to feed the same to an asd sembling device for the latter to arrange the slats edgewise one alongside the other, to glue the uniting web to the assembled slats `for forming a continuous piece of wood carpet, to cut the uniting web to form individual squares, and to stack the same for final removal.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the lsame which will be more fully described hereinaf` ter and then pointed out in the claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the improvement Fig-.2 is an enlarged side elevation of the same Fig. 3 is an enlarged front end view of the same, Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the improvement, on

l the lines 4&4 of Figs. 1 and 3; Fig. 5 is an -enlarged cross section of the improvement,

on the lines 5-6 of Figs. 2 and 4,' Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the stacking device and the means for setting the saws and stackers to different lengths of slats, Fig. 7 is a stacker, on the line 7 7 of Fig. 6 Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the adjustable reciprocating pusher for feeding the strips of wood to the saws and stacker; Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional front elevation of the lower part of the hopper and the means for setting the saws to cut a strip to the desired number of slats, Fig. v10 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the assembing device for the slats, the means for `gluing the uniting web onto the assembled slats to form a continuous piece of parvquetry ilooring, the cutting mechanism for cutting the continuous piece of parquetry flooring into squares, and the discharging device for discharging the nished squaresJ the section being on the lines 10-10 of Figs. 1 and 3; ig. 1l is an enlarged transverse section of the assembling device, the section being on the line 11-11 of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is an enlarged transverse section of the cutting device for cutting the continuous piece of parquetry iiooring into squares, the section being on the lines 12-12 of Figs. 10 and 13; Fig. 13 is an enlarged plan view of the cutting device and the discharging device for discharging and stacking the iinished squares Fig. 14 is a transverse section of the same, on the lines 14-14 of Figs. 10 and 13,' l Fig. 15 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the cutting device, the section being on the line 15-15 of Fig. 14; Fig. 16 is a transverse section of art of the assembling device, the section being on the line 16h16 of Fig. 10 Fig. 17 is a face view of the cam for actuating the stackers; Fig. 18 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 19 is a face view of the cam for actuating the feedin device used for carrying the stacked slats rom the stacker to the assembling device Fig. 2O is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 21 1s aface view of the cam for actuating the fly of the discharging device for the `finished squares;` Fig. 22 is a like view of the cam for actuating the holding device for holding one end of the piece of continuous parquetry flooring while cutting the same, and for operating the breaking device for breaking off the square after being cut by the cutting device Fig. 23 is a face view of the cam for shifting the cutting device bodily ,f Fig. 24 is a face view of the cam for actuating the cutting device; Fig. 25 is a side elevation of a modiiied-form of pusher for pushing two strips at a time out of the hopper, and Figs. 26 to 32 are pers ective views of different squares made by t e machine.

The improved machine is mounted on a suitably constructed frame A supporting, at its front end, a hopper B for containing a pile of strips of wood, of which the lower- Iso most strip rests on a platform C and is adapt ed to be cut by spaced circular saws D into the number of slats E required for one wood carpet square, such as shown in Figs. 26. to 32. The several slats cut out of one strip are transferred inthe direction of the arrow a by the use of a reciprocating transferring device F, to a stacker G arranged transversely on the frame A and having rocking arms G operating in the bottom of a transfer duct or guideway G2, the said rocking arms G being adapted to incline the slats one lin front of the other. An endless carrier G3 in the form of a chain has its upper run traveling a distance below and in alinement with the bottom of the guideway G2, and on this carrier are secured, at intervals, arms G4 adapted to successively engage the ends of the inclined slats to push the same along in the guideway G2 in the direction of the arrow b; and as the slats are inclined as above described, it is evident that the slats are pushed one on top of the other to form a pile of the slats required for one wood carpet square. While the slats are stacked and carried along in the guideway 2 in the direction of the arrow b, the side edges thereof are trimmed by vertically-disposed revolvinfT cutter heads H and H', and the trimmed pile of slats is finally engaged by a pusher l which pushes the slats into a hopper J forming part of an assembling device J having a longitudinally reciprocating pushing device K for engaging th e outer side of the lowermost slat in the hopper J, to push the slats successively sidewise out of the hopper J and into the guideways J2 adjustab secured to the top of a table J0 held on the frame A and supporting the slats. The slats are thus arranged edgewise one alongside the other, and the slats for one square are moved over the table J 2 in the direction of the arrow c by a pushing device L, so that the slats finally pass under the web-attaching device N for gluing or pasting a web E of paper or like fabric material onto the upper faces of the slats, it being understood that the pushing device now ranges side by side al the slats cut from the successive strips in the hopper B, so that when the web E is secured to the slats, a continuous piece of wood carpet is formed. The piece of wood carpet thus produced is now trimmed at the ends of theslats by circular trimming saws O and O, after which the trimmed piece of wood carpet is cut transversely at the web E by a cutting device P to form the individual squares in such a manner that only the slats from one strip are contained in the square. A transferring device Q now successively transfers the finished squares to a buncher or stacker R, from which the squares are periodically removed.

The detailed construction of the several devices above described is as follows: The hopper B is preferably in the form of an open slat-worlr (see Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4), and its front side B is made adjustable toward and from the rear side B2, to accommodate strips of wood of different widths. The rear side B2 and the end's B3 and B1 of the hopper are fixed on the frame A, and the front side B is provided with transverse bars B0 fitted to slide in recesses B6 formed in the ends B3 and B4, as indicated in Fig. 2, transverse bars B5 'is provided, at its ends, with slotted arms B7 engaged by screws B8 screwing in the ends B3 and B4 and serving to lock the side B in position after the desired adjustment is made to accommodate strips of wood of a desired width. In order to accommodate strips of wood of different length in the hopper B, the latter is provided with auxiliary ends B0 and B10 arranged inside the ho per adjacent to the corresponding ends B3 and B4. The auxiliary ends B0 and B10 are adjustable toward and from each other to accommodate strips of wood of a desired length. rlhe tops of the ends B0 and B10 are provided with arms B12 adjustably held on a transverse bar B13 attached to the top of the ends B3 and B2, and the said arms B12 are adapted to be fastened to the bar B13 by screws B14 after the auxiliary ends B9 and B10 have been adjusted to the desired position. The auxiliary ends B0 and B10 are strengthened or stiffened about midway of their height by arms B15 adjustably secured on a bar B10 attached to the ends B3 and B4 at the rear of the rear side B2, the said arms slidably engaging pins B17 secured to the said ends B0 and B10 and projecting outwardly therefrom. The auxiliary ends B0 and B10 can thus be readily adjusted toward or from each other and securely held in place by the arms B12 and B15. The arms B12 and B15 can' be readily inserted through the open rear side B2 of the hopper B `and engaged with the pins B17.

From the foregoing it will be seen that by the construction of the hopper described and shown, strips of wood of a desired length and width can be readily accommodated in the hopper B by making the adjustments above described.

The latform or support C shown more particular y in Figs. 4 and 6, consists essentially of transverse beams C and C2 secured to the frame A and connected with each other by longitudinal beams C3. The longitudinal beams G3 are provided with slots or recesses C4 for the passage ofthe saws D employed for cutting the bottom strip of wood int-o a predetermined number of slats, the positions of the said beams C3 determining the positions of the saws D. Each longitudinal beam C2 is provided, at its ends, with projecting pins or plates C1 engaging recesses C0 formed in the transverse` beams C and C2. By the arrangement described the longitudinal beams C3 can be readily adjusted toward and from each other, according to the number of slats Each of the to be cut from the single bottom strip of wood of the pile of strips contained in the hopper B, the recesses C0 being correspondingly ymarked with numerals, giving the size of the square to be made, as plainly shown in Fig. 6, to permit the operator to readily adjust the longitudinal beams C3 according to the number of slats to be cut from the bottom strip and required for forming a square of the corres onding size. It is understood that more or ess of the longitudinal beams C3 are used, according to the number of slats required for a square. On top of each beam C3 is ar ranged a longitudinal guide strip C7 (see Figs. 4 and 6) extending from the forward end of the slot C1 u to the stacking device G to keep the severa slats cut off by the saws D separate during their travel over the platform C to the stacker G.

The circular saws D are adjustably secured, by setescrews or other means D, on an i arbor D2, provided at its ends with pulleys D3 connected by belts D3L with pulleys D5 secured on the transversely-extending main driving shaft S, ournaled on the main frame A and provided with a pulley S connected by belt with other machinery for imparting a rotary motion to the said main driving shaft S. Thus when the machine is in oper ation and the main driving shaft S is rotated, then a rotary motionis transmitted to the ar- D5 and D3 and the belt bor D2 by the pulleys D1, so that the saws are simultaneously roy tated in the direction of the arrow CZ (see Fig. 4). The arbor D2 is journaled in bear ings D0 mounted to slide up and down in slightly inclined guideways D7 attached to the main frame A, and the said bearings D0 are ivotally connected by links D2 with a cran arm D0 secured on a shaft D10 journaled in suitable bearings attached to the main frame A. N ow, when the machine is in operation a rotary motion is given to the shaft D10, so that the crank arms D0 thereof and the links D0 impart an up and down sliding motion to the bearings D0, so as to bring the circular saws D in engagement with the under side of the lowermost strip of wood in the hopper B, to cut the said strip into the de,- sired number of slats. As soon as the strip is cut into slats, the arbor D2 is lowered by the arrangement described, so that the saws D move into a lowermost position; that is, a distance below the platform or support C. The saws D, in rising, pass through the slots or recesses C1 formed in the longitudinal beams C3, as previously explained, to permit the saws to readily cut the lowermost strip of wood from underneath. The guideways D7 are slightly inclined to bring the tops of the saws D first in engagement with the forward corner of the lowermost strip, lso as to `insure proper cutting of the strip into slats.

he crank shaft D10 is driven from a cam shaft S2, which in vturn is driven from another 4shaft S2.

cam shaft S3 (see Fig. 4), both the cam shafts extending transversely and being journaled on the main frame A. The cam shaft S3 is rotated from the main shaft S, and for this purpose the crank shaft D10 is provided with a pulley S4 connected by a sprocket chain S5 with a sprocket wheel S6 secured on the cam On this cam shaft S2 is secured a sprocket wheel S7 (see Fig. 3) connected by a sprocket chain S2 with a sprocket wheel S0 attached to the cam shaft S3, on which is secured a pulley S10 (see Fig. 1) connected by a belt S11 with a pulley S12 secured on a countershaft S13 journaled on the main frame A and l rovided with a pulley S14 connected by a Felt S15 with another counter-shaft S17 likewise journaled on the main frame A and provided with a cone pulley S18 connected by a belt S10 with a cone "pulley S20 secured to the main shaft S (see Figs. 1 and 3). N ow, when the main shaft S is rotated, a rotary motion is transmitted by the devices above described to the cam shafts S3 and S2 and the crank shaft D10, of which the cam shaft S2 actuates the reciprocating transferring device F in a manner presently to be described.

The transferring device F (see Figs. 1, 3,

4 and 8) is provided 4with a plurality of arms F extending longitudinally and arranged in pairs, except the outermost arms, which are 95 single, as plainly indicatedin Figs. 1 and 8. The arms F are provided, at their outer ends, with Vheads F2 adjustably attached by clamping bolt's F3 to a slotted transverse slide F 1, mounted to slide at its ends in suitable guideways F3 attached to the frame A. The arms F pa'ss between friction rollers F0 and F 7 journaled in brackets F 3 attached to the main frame A adjacent to the front end of the platform C, and the said arms F over- 105 lie the longitudinal beams C3 of the said platform C. The heads F2 are adjustable on the slide F1, to permit of bringing the arms in proper alinement with the beams C3 when the latter are adjusted to different 110 lengths of strips of wood, as previously explained,` and in order to guide the operator to make a proper adjustment of the heads F2 on the slide F1, the latter is provided with graduation marks (see Fig. 8) similar to the 115 ones at the recesses C0 previously mentioned and shown in Fig. 6. The slide F1 is pivot'- ally connected by links F0 with a rock frame F 10 fulcrumed at its lower end, at F11, on the main frame A, and the said rock frame F10 120 is connected by pitmen F12 with crank arms F13 on the shaft S2, so that when the latter is rotated, a reciprocating movement is given to the slide F 1 and the arms` F thereof, to push the slats cut by the saws D away from the bottom of the hopper B and over the platform C into the guideway or duct G2' of The arms F are guided in fork-shaped guideways F14 depending from and held adjustable by set-screws F15 on a 130 transverse bar F1G B of the hopper B, as plainly indicated in Fig. 9. Each guideway F11is set on a graduation, indicated on the lower endv of the front side B, to adjust the guideways corresponding toy the arms dinal beams C8, as The inner faces of the guideways F11 arel flush ywith the inner face of the front side B, so that the strips contained in the hopper B are properly guided down onto the arms F, and the slats cut from the lowermost strip Aare properly guided down onto the platform G at the time the arms F move into their outermost position and out from under the slats, so that the slats are now engaged at their front edges by the inner ends of the arms F. Now, when the machine is in motion and the arms F move inward in the direction of the arrow a after the saws D have cut the lowermost strip into slats, and the saws D have moved back in. the lowermost position, then the slats are pushed over the platform C into the guideway or -duct G2.

The lower end of the hopper B is closed at the rear side B2 by a gate B18 adapted to be raised and lowered periodically, the gate, when lowered, confining the lowermost strip in position during connection with immediately previous by the arms F, out

to pushing the slats, from under the neXt lowermost strip of wood, the gate B18 is raised for the time being. The gate B18 is shown more fully in detail in Fig. 5, and is mounted to slide up and down in suitable guideways B18 formed in the ends B3 and B1 of the hopper B. The gate B18 is provided, at its bottom, with a transversely-extending bar B20, on which are adjustably secured depending arms B21 arranged in alinement with the arms F of the transferring device F, the lower ends of the said arms normally resting on the beams C8 in front of the inner rear edges of the slats. In order to periodically raise and lower the gate B18, the ends thereof are pivotally connected by links B22 with levers B23 fulcrumed at B21 on the main frame A and engaging with their rear ends the peripheral surfaces of cams B28 secured on the cam shaft S8 and having cuteout portions B28, so that when the ends of the levers B28 drop into the cut-out portions B211, then the gate B18 drops; and when the cams B28 rotate, they impart a swinging motion to the levers B28, to raise the gate B18 during the time the slats are transferred from the bottom of the hopper B to the guideway G2. The lower ends of the links B22 are provided with slots B22, through which extend pins B28 attached to the gate B18, so that the levers B28, when moving with their' inner ends out of the cut-out portions B28, swing easily at the beginning until the bottoms of the slots B27 reach the pins B28, to then lift F and the longitu` previously describech` the sawing operation, in the guideways F14, and

attached to the frontside l Tpass under the portion the slats pass directly onto the rocking arms 1.15

the gate B18. The connection of the links B22 with the lever B23 is adjustable, by providing the links with rows of apertures B2g for engagement by pins B8 on the ends of the levers B28. By this arrangement the gate B18 may be raised more or less, according to the number of superimposed stripsof wood cut at the time into slats in the hopper B. Weighted arms B81 are fulcrumed in pairs on opposite sides of the beams C8 (see Figs. 4 and 5), and the forward ends of the said arms extend into the bottom of the hopper B to engage the under side of the lowermost strip of woodand to press upward on the same, thus steadying the descent of the entire pile of strips of wood after the slats are pushed out from under the lowermost strip by the arms F and the latter have moved forward out from under the hopper B. 'S5 ln order to pass the slats into the guideway G2 of the stacker G, it is necessary to raise that portieri G5 of the front side of the i guideway G2 located adjacent to the rear end of the platform C, and for this purpose the following arrangement is made, special reference being had to Figs. 1, 2 and 4: rlhe side portion G8. is provided with forwardly-projecting arms G8, connected with levers G7 fulcrumed at G8 ori the main frame A, and from the fulcrum G8 depends an arm G1 carrying a weight G10 and a friction roller G11 traveling on the peripheral surface of a-cam G12 secured on the cam shaft S2, previously. mentioned. Now, when the machine is running, the side portion G8 is normally in a closed position until the slats are transferred from the hopper Btc the guideway G2 by the transferring device F, and immediately previous to the slats reaching the portion G8, the latter is pulled forwardly by the action of the cam G12 on theV arm G8, levers G7 and arms G, and the said portion G8, in traveling forwardlyfthat is,

in the inverse direction of the arrow (LL-travels up inclined surfaces G13 attach ed to the top of the frame A immediately in front of the portion G8. Thus, when the slats are pushed rearward, they G8 now raised so that G, normally m a horizontal position an fiush, at their top faces, with the top face of the platform C. As soon as the slats have been pushed onto the rocking arms G and the transferring device F is on the return or outward stroke, then the cam G12 acting on the arm G8, causes the levers G7 and arms G8 to return the portion G8, to again close the guidewa'y G2.

The detailed construction of the stacker G 12; is as follows, special reference being had to Figs. l, 4, 6 and 7: The rocking arms G are arranged in pairs and provided with trunnions G11 removably fulcrumed in notches G1G formed on the top of a transversely- 130 slotted bottom G15 secured on the main frame A and forming, withthe pairs of rocking arms G/, a slot or passage for the arms G4, previously referred to and employed for moving the slats one on top of the other and bodily along in the guideway G2. Each pair of rocking arms G is provided with a depending and approximately U-shaped arm G17 engaging, with its middle portion, one of a set of notches G12 formed in the bottom of a link G19 connecting the several arms G17 with each other, as plainly shown in Fig. 7 One end of the link G12 is provided with depending pin G20 engaged by one end of a lever G21, fulcrumed at G22 (see Fig. l) on the main frame A, and the said lever G21 is actuated by a cam G22 secured on the cam shaft S2.

v Thus, when the machine is in operation, the

cam G23 imparts periodically a swinging motion to the lever G21, so as to impart movement to the link.G12, whereby the several rocking arms G are rocked, and consequently swung into an inclined position, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 7, to bodily move the corresponding slats on the rocking arms into an inc ined position. Now, when the several rocking arms G and their slats are in an inclined position and an arm G4 enters the guideway G2, it successively engages the inclined slats and pushes one onto of the other, so that the slats are stacke at the time the arm G4 leaves the last pair of rocking arms G of the series. The-notches G12 in which the trunnions G1l1 are mounted to rock are graduated or numbered to give the size of the squares and to correspond to the notches C, to permitI of using as many pairs of rocking arms G as there are slats cut from a single strip of wood at the hopper B. By the arrangement described the operator is enabled to quickly change the number and the positions of the rocking arms G, according i to the number of slats cut from a single strip of wood at the time for a given sized square and in such manner that one slat is received on each pair of rocking arms G.

In order to accommodate slats of different widths in the guideway G2, the rear side G24 (see Fig. 1) of the guideway G2 is made adjustable, and for this purpose is provided with slotted arms G25 engaged by screws G22, screwing in the main frame A, and'allowing adjustment of the rear side G21 to give the desired width to the guideway G2, according to the width of the slats. The carrier G2 passes over idlers G27, G28 and G22, and over a sprocket wheel G20 (see Fig. 3), of which the idlers are journaled on the main frame A,

and the sprocket wheel G22 is secured on a longitudinally-extending shaft G21 journaled on the main frame A and provided with a bevel gear wheel G22 (see Fig. l), in mesh with a bevel gear wheel G22 secured on the cam shaft S2. Thus, when the machine is running a continuous traveling motion is given to the carrier G2, to cause each arm G4 to stack the slats and move the same in a stacked condition bodily along in the guideway G2, as above explained. The stacked slats, after leaving the last pair of rocking arms encounter, with their forward. ends, a Weighted swmg gate G24, to move the slats with their ends in vertical alinement. The stacked and alined slats now travel through the portion of the guideway G2 extending from the gate G24 to the hopper J', and both sides of this portion of the guideway G2 are made in sections and adjustable toward and from each other, the same as the portion G24, above described, to accommodate stacks of slats of different widths. The stack of slats, while moved along in this portion of the guideway 12,. have their side edges trimmed successively by the cutter heads H and H, located in opposite sides of the guideway, as plainly shown in Fig. l.

The cutter heads H and H are of any approved construction, and each has its vertical shaft (see Fig. 3) provided with a pulley H2, connected by a crossed belt H4 (see Fig. l), with a pulley H2 on the main shaft S. Thus when the latter is rotated a rotary motion is given to the cutter heads H and H for the latter to turn the side edges of the stack of slats pushed past a cutter head in the guideway G2 by an arm G4 of the endless carrier. The slats of successive stacks are thus all trimmed to the same width, to insure the formation of a uniform product.

The trimmed and stacked slats, when reaching the end of the guideway G2 adjacent `to the hopper J', forked end I of the pusher I (see Figs. 1, l0 and 11), fulcrumed at I2 on a cross head I2 mounted to slide transversely on a guideway I1 carried on the main frame A. A spring I5 held on the guideway I4 forms a cushion for the cross head I2 when the latter reaches its rear end position. The cross head I2 is pivotallyconnected by a link I2 with a lever I7 fulcrumed on the main frame, and pressed on by a spring I8 and connected by a link I9 with the upper end of a lever I10 fulcrumed on the frame 4A and carrying, at its lower end, a friction roller I11 in engagement with a cam I12 secured on the cam shaft S2. Thus when the machine is running the cam I12 imparts periodically a rocking motion to the lever I1", which, by the links I2, imparts a swinging motion to the lever I7, and the latter, by the link I2, causes the cross head I2 to intermittently reciprocate on the guideway I2. Now, when a stack of slats reaches the end of the guideway G2, they engage the inclined forked end I7, thus causing the pusher I to swing upward over the top surface of the uppermost slat, to then drop in the rear of the stack of slats just before the time the arm GA1 leaves a stack of slats by traveling downward at the sprocket wheel G20. vThe engage the inclined cross head 13 now reciprocates to cause the pusher 1 to push the stack of slats from the end of the guideway G2 into the hopper J and against a vertical bar J", to limit the traveling motion of the stack of slats by the pusher 1, which is now at the end of its stroke. The stack of slats now drop down, by their own weight, through the bottom opening J5 of the hopper J onto the table J3, previously mentioned and forming part of the assembling device J.

The pushing device K for engaging the lowermost slat of the pile or stack of slats in the hopper J is arranged as follows, special reference being had to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 10 and 11: rI he pushing device K is preferably in the form of a number of bars arranged one alongside the other and adapted to travel on the top of the table J3, and the said bars are secured, at their outer ends, by bolts K to a slotted cross bar K2 swiveled on the upper end of a lever K3 fulcrumed at its lower end, at K1, on the main frame A. The lever K3 is connected, by a pitman K3, with the crank arm K0 of a crank shaft K7 extending transversely and journaled in suitable bearings on the main frame A. On the crank shaft K7 is secured a sprocket wheel K3, connected by a sprocket chain K0with a sprocket Wheel K10 secured on a transverse shaft K11 journaled in suitable bearings K12 adjustably secured by bolts K13 to segmental guideways K1L1 attached to the main frame A. On the shaft K11 is adjustably secured a series of graduated gear wheels K13, one of which is adapted to mesh at a time with a gear wheel the cam shaft S3. By having the series of gear wheels K13 adjustably secured on the shaft K11, and the latter mounted in bearings K12 adjustable on the guideways K11, it is evident that anyone of the gear wheels of thel series of gear wheels K15 can be moved in mesh with the gear wheel K13, according to the number of slats cut from each of the strips of wood contained in the hopper B at the time. Now, when the machine is in operation, the gear. wheel K16 rotates the corresponding gear wheel of the series of gear wheels K13, and hence the shaft K11, by the sprocket wheels K10 and K3, and the spiocket chain K0, rotates the crank shaft 7 so that the crank arm K0 thereof and the pitman K5 impart a swinging motion to the lever K3, to reciprocate the bars of the pushing device K for the latter to push the lowermost slat out from under the remaining ones, and out of the hopper J into the guideways J2, previously referred to.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the slats are successively pushed out of the hopper J by the bars of the pushing device engaging the outer side edge thereof, so that the slats are successively pushed into the guideways J2 and arranged edgewise one K10 secured on alongside the other, as will be readily understood by reference to Fig. 10. The slats successively moved along by the pushing device K over the table J3 pass under and lift the pusher arms L of the pushing device L, so that the free ends of the arms L drop down onto the table at the outer side of the slats, and as the several slats are moved along by the pushing device K to the same place, it is evident that one slat pushes the slat ahead forward until all the slatsof the stack contained in the hoper J have been ushed along and in front of the arms L. n order to prevent a slat from being pushed too far, retaining springs J0 are arranged lengthwise on the guideways J2. When the several slats for a square are ranged on the table J3 L, then a reciprocating motion is given to the pushing device L for pushing the slats along over the table to the web-attaching device N.

The pushing device L is arranged as follows, special reference being had to Figs. 1, 2, 10, 11 and 16: The pusher arms L are secured, by set-screws L2, on a transverselyextending shaft L3 having its ends extending into longitudinal guideways L4 arranged on the top of the main frame A, to allow the shaft L3 to turn and to move bodily forward and backward in the guideways L4. The shaft L3 is connected by links L5 with. a lever L0 fulcrumed at L7 on the main frame A, and the lever L0 is connected at opposite sides with the ends of ropes L3 passing over pulleys L0 journaled on the frame A, thesaid ropes L3 being provided with weights L10 to normally hold the lever L0, and consequently the shaft L3 and arms L in the receiving position shown in Fig. 10. The lever L0 is also pivotally connected with a rod L11, on whichis adjustably secured by a set-screw L12, a sleeve or extension L13, mounted to slide in a bearing L14 and having a plate L15 adapted to be engaged by a friction rollerL16 j ournaled on a cam arm L17 secured on the cam shaft S3. Now, when the several parts are in the position as shown in Fig. 10 and the machine is in opera# tion, and the set of slats for a square are in front of the pusher arms L, then the cam arm L17 acts, by its friction roller L10, on the plate L13, to impart sliding motion to the sleeve L13 and its rod L11, so that a swinging motion is given to the lever L0, which, by the links L3, imparts a traveling motion to the shaft L3 in the direction of the arrow c, to cause the pusher arms L to push the set of slats in front of the said arms to the webattaching device N. When the friction roller L10 leaves the plate L15 at the end of the stroke of the shaft L3, then the weights L10 cause the pushing device L to return to its former position for receiving the next set of slats for another square.'

in front of the arms p vThe web-attaching device N, vshown more fully in Figs. 1, 2 and 10, is arranged as follows: The web E of paper or likefabric ma terial is arranged in a roll on a coreN, removably held in bearings attached to the main frame A and the web unwinding from the roll passes under a pasting roller N2 j ournaled in the bottom of a box N3 containing glue, paste or other suitable adhesive material, so that the top face of the web, as it passes under the roller N is supplied with the adhesive substance'. The -web, after leaving the roll N2, passes under a number of presser rollers N 4 journaled on the main frame A and extending transversely across the top of the slats E, so that the web E passes, with its coated face, onto the top of` the slats E, and as the slats are pushed along the web E is unrolled from its roll and drawn along, together with the slats, so that the several slats are1united with each other by the web E. In order to insure a rapid drying of the adhesive substance on the web E connecting the slats E with each other, a drying coil N5 is provided, extending across the top of the web in the rear of thelast roller l N4, as indicated in Fig. 2.

N ow it is evident that the pusher arms L l of the pushing device L, in pushing the sets of slats along to the web-attaching device N and under the rollers N4, causes the connected or united slats to travel onward in the direction of the arrow c, so that all the slats are united with each other, .to form a continuous piece of parquetry flooring.

The ends of the slats forming the continuous piece of parquetry flooring are now trimmed by circular saws O and O extending` up at the cut-out portions of the guideways J 2, so. that the continuous piece of parquetry flooring `is rendered uniform in its width throughout. The circular saws O and O are a'djustably secured-on an arbor O2 journaled in suitable bearings on the main frame A, and on the said arbor O2 are secured pulleys O3 connected by belts O4 with pulleys O5 secured to the main shaft S, so that when the machine is running a rotary motion is given to the circular saws O and O for the latter to trim the ends of the slats as the piece of parquetry flooring' moves along, as before stated.

The piece of parquetry flooring, after leaving the circular saws O and O, passes into an adjustable guideway T which forms an extension of the guideway J2, and is rovided with a bottom T, preferably in s at form, and which is an extension or continuation of the table J3 and is projected rearwardly beyond the guideway T andthe cutting device P, almost to the end of the fly Q, as plainly shown in Figs. 10 and 13.

The parquetry iiooring, during a period of rest on the bottom T, is acted on by the knives P and P2 of the cutting device P,

serving to cut the web E in a transverse direction and at the end of a square that is, at the outer ed e of the last slat belonging to a square, so t at the same slats out from a strip of wood and united by the web E form an individual square.

The cutting device P is arranged as follows, special reference being had to Figs. 2, 12, 13, 14 and 15: The knives P and P2 are adjustably secured, by set-screws P3, in a block P4 mounted to swing on a pivot P5 held on a cross head P3, mounted to slide on transverse guideways P7 secured to and forming part of a frame P8 mounted to slide lengthwise, andv having for this purpose longitudinal bars P1 mounted to slide lengthwise in bearings P10 attached to the frame A. The cross head P6 is pivotally connected by a lilik P11 with a lever P12 fulcrumed at P13 on the main frame A, and connected by a link P14 with a lever P15 fulcrumed at P16 on the main frame (see Fig. 12); and the lower end of this lever P15 is provided with a friction roller P17 in engagement with a cam P18 attached to one end of a shaft U extending transversely and journaled in suitable bearings arranged on l the main frame A. A rotary motion is given to this shaft U from the cam shaft S3, and for this purpose the shaft U is provided with a sprocket wheel U, connected by a' sprocket chain U2 with a sprocket wheel U3 secured on the cam shaft S3, as plainly shown in Fig. 10. The cross head P6 is also connected with one end by a rope P19 extending over a pulley P2o and carrying, on its depending end, a weight P21 for normally holding the cross head P6 in a dormant position to one side of the frame A, asplainly shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14.

Now, when the machine is running and the piece of parquetry iiooring is at rest on the bottom T, then the cam P18 imparts a ,swinging motion to the lever P15, which, by the link P14, lever P12 and link P11, transverse sliding motion'to the cross head P11, so that the knives P and P2 are moved transversely and the cuttingv edge of the knife P cuts the web E during tiis transverse movement of the cross head P3, which is immediately returned, by the action of the weight P21 and rope P13, so that on the return stroke the other knife P2 again acts on the web E', to completelysever the same, to separate a square from the continuous piece of parquetry flooring.

It is understood that when the cross head PG slides transversely across the knives P and P2, they assume an inclined position, so that on going over the knife P cuts, and during the return stroke the knife P2 does the cutting. By this arrangement a complete cutting of the web E is insured.

In order to hold the square in the rear of the knives P and P2 down on the bottom T during the cutting operation, and to hold the web down so that the `knives will not scrape 'I imparts a it out of place if the web is not thoroughly dry, the following arrangement is made: A bracket P22 is adjustably secured by a setscrew P22 to the cross head P0, and on the lower end of the bracket P22 are journaled friction rollers P21 for engaging the top of the square during the transverse movement of the cross head P0, that is, during the cutting operation.

ln order to hold the continuous piece of parquetry flooring down on the bottom Tl adjacent to the knives P and P2, the following device is provided: A transverse bar V is adapted to be moved down upon the contin uous piece of parquetry flooring as soon as the same comes to rest, and this bar V is provided with downwardly-eXtending rods V (see Fig. 12), mounted to slide in bearings V2, V2 held on a rock frame Vx having its shaft V5 mounted to rock on the frame PS. A spring V0 is coiled on each rod V and rests, at one end, against the bearing V2, and at its other end on a collar V7 adjustably secured, by a set-screw V2, on the corresponding rod V.^ The rock frame V1 is provided, at its opposite side, with bearings V2 (see Fig. 14), in which are adjustably secured, by setscrews V10, rods V11 supporting a plate V12 extending under the bars Q of the fly, and also under the slats of the bottom T, as will be readily understood by reference to Fig. 14, the top of the bar V12 being cut out correspondingly, to make room for the said bars Q and the slats of the bottom T. The rock frame V2 is pivotally connected by a link V13 (see Fig. 10) with a lever V14, fulcrumed at V15 on the main frame and pressed on, at one end, by a spring V10, and carrying at its other end, a friction roller V17 in peripheral contact with a cam V12 secured on the shaft U. The cam V18 is so shaped that when the machine is in operation, it acts on the lever V1A1 in such a manner that the link V13 rocks the rock frame V2, to cause the bearings V2 to press on the springs V0 so as to draw the rods V, and consequently the bar V, yieldingly downward to engage the bar with the top face of the piece of parquetry flooring. At the same time the rock frame V1, by the bearings V0 and rods V11, lifts the plate V12 but a short distance, and after the web E is cut by the knives P and P2 and the cross head P0 has returned to its normal, dormant position, then the cam V18 gives a further swinging motion to the lever V11, so that the bar V is pressed still more firmly in contact with the piece of parquetry flooring, and at the same time the plate V12 is raised, to lift the fly rods Q and to engage the under side of the cutoff square, to press the same upward adjacent to the cut made by the knives P and P2, so that, in case the knives have not completely severed the web E then this upward pressure of the square by the plate V12, causes a final breaking of the web E', to insure complete separation of the square from the piece of parquetry flooring.

The rods Q of the ily Q are secured, at their rear ends, on a crank shaft Q2 journaled in suitable bearings Q3 attachedto the rod P0 of the frame P2, and the fly Q, when in a normal lowermost position, has its side rods Q resting on stop pins Q1 attached to the outermost slats of the bottom Tl (see Fig. 13). The fly is 'normally held in a lowermost position by the action of a rope Q5 carrying a weight Q0 and winding on a drum Q7 secured to the shaft Q2. Tn order to impart a swinging motion to the fly Q, one end of the shaft Q2 is provided with an arm Q8, connected by a link Q0 with a lever Q10 fulcrumed at Q11 on the main frame A and carryingv a friction roller Q12 in peripheral contact with a cam Q13 secured on the shaft U. Thus, when the machine is in operation, the cam Q13 acts at the proper time on the lever Q10, to impart a turning motion to the shaft Q2, so that the ily Q swings around and carries the square along, to deliver it to the buncher R. After the square has been delivered, the fly Q immediately returns to its normal position by the action of the weight Q0 held on the rope Q5 engaging the drumy Q2.

In order to bring the cutting-off mechanism attached to the sliding rods P0 into proper adjustment relative to the position of the square to be cut off, and to limit the rearward movement of the piece of parquetry flooring over the rod Q of the 'fly Q, a stop block TV is provided, adjustably secured by set-screws W to some of the rods Q,- as plainly indicated in Fig. 13. The distance the block Wis adjusted from the path of the knives P and P2, corresponds to the length of the square to be cut off from the piece of parquetry flooring. The frame P8 is adapted to be shifted and for this urpose the rods P0 of the said frame P8 are s idably engaged by a cross bar P25 pressed on by springs P20 coiled on the rods P0 (see Fig. 13) and resting on collars P27 adjustably secured on the rods P0. The cross bar is ivotally connected by a link P28 with a lever 20 (see Fig. 10) fulcrumed at P30 on the main frame A and carrying a friction roller P01 in peripheral contact with a cam P22 secured on the shaft U, previously referred to. The reason for hanging the cutting-off mechanism on the sliding rods P0 is that the width of the slats passing through the machine may not at any one time be all absolutely uniform, and any variation in the width, though very slight in each, may

in the whole number of slats contained in the 1 l comes when the whole line of wood carpet is pressed back by the pusher arms L. At the same timefixed relative positions must be maintained between the different parts of the cutting-off mechanism itself. So the stop block W is made to yield as above referred to by movement of the rods P, which carry the stop block W back and also the other cutting-off mechanism, without changing their positions in relation to4 each other. The rods P9 with the mechanism attached to them are moved to theirlmost forwardly position by the cam P33 and the lever P39 and connections, immediately after the ily Qreturns to horizontal position and before the arms L have completed their rearward movement, and this forward movement of the rods P9 brings the cutting-off mechanism far enough front so that the rearward slat will always come into contact with the stop block l/V, and the rearward movement of the wood carpet caused by the arms L pressing it back against the stop block W, will push the cutting-off mechanism back to exactly the proper position, whether the variation in the aggregate width of the slats be toward one extreme or the other, and while at this point the knives and all the cutting-off mechanism operate, before the rods 3 and mechanism attached return to forward position to receive another square. The variation in the width of the few slats contained between the stop block W and the knives P and P3, will be so slight that the knives will always cut exactly or almost exactly in the line between the square that is to bel cut off and the remaining piece of wood carpet. The extreme of variation in the aggregate width of all the slats between stop block W' and the arms L would in actual work not exceed about one-quarter of an inch, so that the backward and forward movement of the rods P9 will be but little more than one-quarter of an inch; and the levers and links connecting the cams on shaft V with the various parts of the cutting-off mechanism adjust themselves tothe varying position of the rods P3; and the whole works as well when the rods are at one point as at another in this limit of about one-quarter of an inch. From this it will be seen that the forward movement places the cutting-off mechanism in position to receive a square and is caused by the cam P33 and connections, while the rearward movement is the adjustment of the cutting-off mechanism to the square it is re'- ceiving and is caused by the arms L.

The stop block W is provided with a rearward extension W3 carrying an adjustable collar W3 and forming a bearing for a sleeve oW4 having a slotted head W5 adapted to extend over the top surface of the piece of parquetry flooring abutting at the time against the stop block W. A sretscrew W3 engages the slotted head W5, to guide the same, and from the said head W5 depends a pin W7 (see Fig. 10), adapted to abut against a cross bar P33 adjustably attached to the rods P3 and thus forming part of the frame P3. By the arrangement described the sleeve W4 and its head W3 are held in a forward position by the pin W7 resting against the cross bar P33 but when the fly Q swings upward, then the pin W7 leaves the cross bar P33, and the sleeve W4 with its head W-now slides, by its own weight, down on the extension W3, until it rests on the stop collar W3. When this takes place the head W5 disengages the square carried by the fly Q, and consequently the square is free to leave the fly and pass onto the buncher R. When the fly Q swings back to its normal position, then the pin W7, in striking against the cross barl P33, pushes the sleeve W4v and its head W5 again forward, so that the head is in position for engaging the top of the square. When changing from one size square to another, only two adjustments are necessary in the cutting-off mechanism, namely, the stop block W is to be set the proper distance from the knives P and P3 and the rod P33 is to be properly set to engage the projection W7 of the stop block W.

The construction of the buncher R isas follows: The buncher R is mounted on a suitably constructed frame R attached to the rear end of the main frame A, and on the said frame R is secured atable R3 over which pass a number of endless bands or belts R3, supporting a rest R4 over the table R3 and against which the squares are bunched. The bands R3 pass over pulleys R5 and RG journaled at the ends of the frame R and on the shaft R7 for the pulley R3 is secured a ratchet wheel R8 (see Fig. 10) engaged by a pawl R3 held on a lever R10 fulcrumed, at R11, on the main frame A and engaged by a cam R13 secured on, the cam shaft U, so that at every revolution of the cam shaft U the cam R13 imparts a swinging motion to the lever R13, which, by the pawl R3, turns the ratchet wheel R8 the distance of a tooth, so that the pulley R6 is correspondingly turned and thereby imparts a traveling motion to thel bands R3 a distance corresponding to about the thickness of a square. By the arrangement described, the rest- R4 is moved gradually rearwardly as the squares are delivered to the buncher R by the fly Q., In order to properly guide and strengthen the rest R4, thelatter is provided with a guide rod R13 engaging a bearing R13 attached to the frame R. A guide R13 is arranged on the forward end of the frame R to form a rest for the lower edge of a square, as the latter is carried upward by the Hy Q onto the bands R3. After the desired number of squares have been stacked or hunched on the buncher R, the same are removed by an operator, and then the pawl R3 is lifted off the ratchet wheel R3, to permit of returning the rest R1 to a forward position on the table R3.

. plained and shown in The operation is as follows: When the hopper B is 'filled with a pile of stri s of wood and the main shaft S is rotated, t ien motion is given to the various devices, to actuate the same in unison and in proper sequence, so that the strips of wood contained in the hopper B are successively cut into slats E, and the latter are united by the web E', to form individual squares of a given predetermined size and each having its slats from the same strip of wood. The machine is capable of cutting strips of any length, say from 2 inches to 51 inches, but is mainly intended to form squares from stri s l inches and 2 inches wide, and multiples of 4, 6, 8 and 12 inches long. Thus, Fig. 26 shows a 4-inch square formed of two slats of 2 x4 3 Fig. 27 illustrates a /l-inch square of three slats 1%x 4 Fig. 28 shows a 6-inch square of three slats 2x6; Fig. 29 shows an S-inch square of four slats 2x8; Fig. 30 shows an 8-inch square of six slats 1--x8 Fig. 31 illustrates a 12-inch square of six slats 2x12, and Fig. 32 shows a l2-inch square having nine slats 1%x12. Now, for each size of square, the machine is correspondingly set, and for this pur ose the front B of the hopper B is adjustec to the width of the strips, which latter are somewhat in excess of the width of the finished slats, to allow for trimming by the cutter heads H and H. The auxiliary ends B2 and B10 are adjusted to the length of the strips, which latter have a given size exceeding, somewhat, the ag regate length of the slats for a square, to al ow for the reduction by the cuts made by the saws D and trimming saws O and O. The pusher arms F are arranged in pairs and set according to the number of slats in a square, as indicated in Fig. 8, in which the numerals represent the size of the squares, it being understood that one pair of such arms F is used for each slat. The guides F14, the beams C3, the saws D and the rocking arms G are set according to the pushing arms F and along the graduations markedon the respective parts, as before ex- Figs. 6 and 9, and the sides of the guideways G2 are set correspondingly to the width of the slats, and the guideways J2 are set to the length of the slats, and the guideway T to the final size of the square (seeFig. 13). As illustrated in the drawings, the machine is set for forming an S-inch square (see Fig. 30) of six slats of 1%- inches wide and 8 inches long. Now, when the machine is running, the saws D cut the lowermost strip of wood in the hopper B resting at the time on the reciprocating pushing arms F into six slats. After the saws have moved into a lowerinost position the pushing arms F have reached their front end position, and in doing so have passed from underneath the slats, to engage the front sides thereof, it being understood that the slats and the pile of strips above, on the pushing arms F leaving l gaged at its the slats, drop down, so that the slats rest on the platform C. The forward movement of the arms F now pushes the slats out from underneath the next strip of wood, and as the gate B18 is now in a raised position, the slats pass over the platform C, under the raised front G5 of the guideway G2, so that the slats are finally delivered on top of the rocking arms G now in a horizontal position, as indicated'in Fig. 7. The pushing arms F now recede, and during their reciprocating motion the saws D' cut the next'lowermost strip into six slats. 1n the meantime the front G5 closes and the rocking arms G are swung into an inclined position, as indicated in Fig. 7, to incline the slats thereon. An arm G now engages the outermost slat in the guideway G2 and pushes the same along in the direction of the arrow b and onto the top of the next following slat, which is then pushed along in a like manner. are thus moved one on top of the other, that is, formed into a stack or pile carried along the guideway G2 by the arm G4. During their passage through the guideway G2, the stack of slats is trimmed by the cutter heads H and H, and the stack of slats finally moves in engagement with the inclined arm 1 of the pusher I, so that the latter is raised and drops behind a stack of slats in place of the arm G4, which now passes downward out of engagement with the stack of slats. The pusher 1 now pushes the stack of slats into the hopper J, in which the stack drops, by its own weight, through the opening J 5, onto the table J3; and the lowermost slat is now enfront side by the arms of the reciprocatinv pusher K, so that the slats are successively pushed out of the hopper J and forward overA the table J3, with the ends of the slats extending in the guideways J2. By the arrangement described the slats are successively pushed thus ranged lengthwise side by side, and when the number of slats for one square have been pushed forward over the table J3 in front of the arms L, then the latter move forward and thus push the slats (in this case the six slats) forward under the web-attaching device N, to receive the web E, as previously explained.

1t is understood that the series of gear wheels K5 is adjusted relative to the gear wheel K1, according to the number of slats to be formed into one square, so that the pusher K reciprocates, in this case, six times to one reciprocating movement given to the pushing device L. As the sets of slats advance intermittently under the web-attaching each other by the endless web E, to form a continuous piece of parquetry flooring. This piece is intermittently pushed along by the following sets of slats moved forward by the pushing device L, and as the piece of parout from the hopper J and device N, the several sets are united with,n

The slats 

